Lane Kiffin made his LSU debut with Livvy Dunne and Brooks Nader by his side before LSU crushed Clemson 51-10 in Baton Rouge.
Lane Kiffin wasted no time making his mark at LSU.
Before his first game as the Tigers’ head coach, Kiffin arrived at Tiger Stadium in style, walking the traditional Tiger Walk alongside former LSU gymnastics star Livvy Dunne, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Brooks Nader and Louisiana comedian Theo Von.
The celebrity-filled entrance set the tone for an unforgettable opening night in Baton Rouge, where Kiffin’s Tigers went on to dominate Clemson 51-10.
Kiffin brings star power to Tiger Walk
Tiger Walk is one of LSU football’s signature traditions, with players and coaches making their way toward Tiger Stadium through a massive crowd of supporters.
For Kiffin’s first appearance as LSU’s head coach, the scene was considerably more star-studded.
Dunne, a former LSU gymnast and one of the school’s most recognizable sports personalities, joined Kiffin for the walk. Nader, a Louisiana native and SI Swimsuit model, was also part of the group, along with Von, who grew up in Louisiana.
The unusual combination quickly caught the attention of college football fans online, with images and video of the entrance circulating across social media.
Kiffin has embraced his reputation as one of college football’s most recognizable personalities, and his LSU debut provided another memorable example.
LSU crushes Clemson in Kiffin’s debut
The flashy entrance was followed by an even more impressive performance on the field.
LSU overwhelmed Clemson 51-10, giving Kiffin a spectacular start to his tenure with the Tigers. The result immediately turned the spotlight toward what LSU could accomplish under its new coach.
The Tigers’ dominant performance came after a lengthy weather delay that pushed the highly anticipated opener later into the evening. More than 100,000 fans packed Tiger Stadium for the game.
The victory also gave Kiffin an emphatic introduction to LSU’s passionate fan base.
Livvy Dunne returns to the LSU spotlight
Dunne’s presence carried additional significance because of her history with LSU.
The former Tigers gymnast became one of the most recognizable college athletes in the country during her LSU career and helped the gymnastics program win the 2024 national championship. She has since built a massive social-media following and expanded into modeling and entertainment.
Dunne is also set to appear alongside Nader in an upcoming Baywatch reboot, adding another connection between the two women who accompanied Kiffin at Tiger Stadium.
Her appearance at Kiffin’s first LSU game therefore brought together the school’s athletic past and its new football era.
Brooks Nader draws attention in Baton Rouge
Nader, meanwhile, was also part of the pregame buzz.
The Louisiana native appeared on ESPN’s College GameDay ahead of the LSU-Clemson matchup before joining Kiffin and Dunne around Tiger Stadium.
Her appearance added another layer of celebrity attention to an LSU opener that was already one of the most anticipated events of the college football weekend.
The combination of Kiffin, Dunne, Nader and Von quickly became one of the night’s most talked-about off-field moments.
Kiffin’s LSU era starts with a statement
Kiffin’s arrival at LSU has generated enormous attention since he left Ole Miss to take over in Baton Rouge.
His first game came with additional controversy surrounding former NFL players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, whose eligibility has become part of a larger legal dispute involving LSU, the SEC and college football’s changing eligibility rules.
Despite a Louisiana judge issuing an injunction that opened the door for the players to return, LSU ultimately left both off its roster for the Clemson game.
Kiffin’s decision reflected the complicated legal landscape surrounding the players.
On the field, however, there was little controversy.
LSU delivered a dominant performance, and Kiffin’s first Tiger Walk became an early symbol of the larger spectacle surrounding his arrival in Baton Rouge.
With Livvy Dunne, Brooks Nader and Theo Von beside him before kickoff and a 51-10 victory waiting at the end of the night, Kiffin’s LSU era could hardly have started with more attention.
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